Top 15 Best NBA 2K Games of All Time

NBA 2K Games has established itself as one of the best franchises in sports gaming. Every year, the franchise comes out with new versions, keeping the basketball fans engaged in the virtual NBA scene. The franchise has been winning hearts and giving millions of users a realistic experience for over two decades. From building careers to playing as your favorite NBA player, making teams, and winning championships, you get an immersive experience. Although there have been many seasons that were totally loved by the fans, there were also a few that had flaws and spoiled the whole season experience for the players. With multiple NBA 2K games released over the past two decades, many users wonder, which one is the best? Some versions are still in the favorite list of users, while some have been criticized brutally. But which ones are the best of all time?

This list was made by looking at some game reviews from reputable places. We have taken various ratings into account from the best experts in the gaming industry. We won’t give away any names just yet, but this list includes a mix of older classics that you must have played when you were younger and newer surprises. It’s not just about which game had the best graphics or newest features, it’s about which ones made people love the game of basketball even more and gave a never-before experience. So if you’ve ever played NBA 2K games and wondered how your favorite stacks up, or if you’re new to the series and want to know which games are worth trying, keep reading. The countdown is about to begin.

Ranking Factors:

1. Metacritic Score: We have ranked the best 15 NBA 2k games based on the Metacritic Score. This factor was taken as the primary factor, which gave us an overall review of the different games from various sites available on the internet. The scores are given out of 100; the closer the game is to 100, the better the NBA 2K game edition it is. It is an unbiased factor based on the amount of data available and not on emotions. Games tied at the same Metacritic score were further analyzed through additional criteria (see below), but this score served as the foundation for ranking every title fairly.
2. Industry Experts Ratings: We turned to IGN and Gamespot, two of the most influential gaming publications in the world, which give ratings to every game, be it for PC, consoles, or other devices. Their reviews not only rate a game out of 10 but also offer deep insights into the finer details, such as gameplay fluidity, depth of game modes, realism, and online performance. Their experts have analyzed every 2K game with great depth, which will help us define the top 15 best NBA 2K games of all time.
3. Lasting Impact: Critical scores and expert reviews are important factors to define the best NBA 2K games, but if we have to analyze a game completely, we have to give some importance to the overall game impact. Some NBA 2K games grow in popularity over time, gaining cult status due to memorable features, standout soundtracks, or gameplay that felt just right. In these cases, we factored in how the community remembers each game today.

15. NBA 2K22

NBA 2K22 is the 23rd installment of the NBA franchise, which was released in September, 2021. The enhanced features made the game better on the court, which is the most significant part of a basketball game. The defense AI and rebuilt shot contest system make the defense in the game better and more effective. The developers didn't only want to offer basketball play, so they added interesting elements like grabbing things, riding skateboards, and more so that the users get a little taste of open-world features. The addition of City to the ‘MyCareer’ mode was perfectly incorporated. Moreover, they also improved the player models and crowd animation.

Cover Athletes: Luka Doncic

14. NBA 2K21

The NBA 2K21 had immensely improved graphics, high-resolution animations, and a new shooting system. These improvements made the game more realistic, offering a better experience to the users. “The City” was introduced to the MyCareer mode, which aimed to give the fans an interesting virtual social experience. The modes also featured a college basketball story that made the gameplay more engaging. Although the microtransactions received mixed reactions from the fans, their mechanics earned a lot of praise because they were unique. The WNBA mode also received more content, further refining the game.

Cover Athlete: Damian Lillard (Standard), Kobe Bryant (Mamba Forever Edition)

13. NBA 2K25

The best enhancement this version brought was the addition of over 9K moves and realistic animation. Although the game was heavily criticized for its reduced dunks and RNG-dependent shooting, its rebuilt dribble engine covered up those nerfs. The ProPlay system of the game also received an upgrade in terms of real-life moments of NBA stars that included the inclusion of signature shots of each player. Additionally, the fan-favorite modes MyCareer and MyPlayer received notable updates, allowing the player's character to have high-rated stats and traits like basketball legends.

Cover Athletes: Jayson Tatum, A'ja Wilson, Vince Carter

12. NBA 2K20

NBA 2K20 became the first installment in the NBA 2K series to introduce WNBA, with all 12 teams and players. The game earned high praise for its cinematic quality and up-to-date storyline. It expanded The Neighborhood but was heavily criticized for its microtransaction focus. Metacritic 80, IGN (7.8), and Gamespot (7) noted solid gameplay but slammed the “pay-to-win” mechanics. Game's MyPlayer Builder mode offered a great variety of archetypes and 50 new badges, allowing users to create their custom players with better options. Although the game had some flaws, its core gameplay makes is worth playing.

Cover Athletes: Anthony Davis / Dwyane Wade

11. NBA 2K15

The last decade saw NBA 2K add numerous new features in their games to keep the gameplay engaging and exciting. NBA 2K15 was launched with one of the most interesting features, that was face scan. It allowed the players to scan their face and have the game's avatar resemble them. This feature made the game earn a Metacritic score of 83. This customization is still one of the best in NBA 2K games. The MyCareer mode also received a new feature called coaching advice. The game quickly became of fan favorite because of its polished graphics and smooth gameplay.

Cover Athlete: Kevin Durant

10. NBA 2K19

The only new thing that this version introduced was in MyCareer mode, which was set in China. Fluid mechanics and storyline in a new country enhanced it a little from the previous versions. Shooting mechanism, graphics, and sound quality was upgraded. Addition of ‘Takeover’ abilities gave fans a temporay boost, adding more excitement to the matches. Apart from these things, the game had nothing new, which disappointed some fans. But the game still managed to get a Metacritic score of 82.

Cover Athlete: Giannis Antetokounmpo

9. NBA 2K09

NBA 2K9 didn't fail fans' expectations and added refined player models and smoother gameplay. Compared to the versions released before it, NBA 2K9 had subpar gameplay and focused on realism more. Elements like halftime shows and commentary, along with HD graphics, made the game earn a Metacritic score of 84. The only thing that the game lacked was new modes. However, its authenticity, foundational improvements, and solid reviews make it a notable entry at #9, reflecting the series’ early strengths.

Cover Athlete : Kevin Garnett

8. NBA 2K10

The release of NBA2K10 in 2009 marked the 10th anniversary of the NBA 2K franchise, to they rewarded fans with the induction of MyPlayer mode. This mode is one of the most prominent features of the game that allows players to create their own custom player and build their career from scratch. Till today, this mode is a fan favorite. The launch of this mode in NBA 2K10 impressed every NBA fan. The cover of this game featured the iconic NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, which made it more special. Improved animation also increased the realism.

System Requirements: 1GB RAM, Dual-core processor, DirectX 9.0

Cover Athlete: Kobe Bryant

7. NBA 2K18

The release of this game brought the introduction of Neighborhood mode in MyCareer, which allowed players to combine the basketball action with social life. This made the players enjoy the aspects similar to an open-world game. Players could do extra activities like exploring the city, visiting tattoo parlors, hitting the gym, interacting with other players, and more. This mode levelled up the fun in the game. Apart from this, modes like MyGM, MyLeague, and MyTeam also received amazing upgrades. However, the fans were quite pissed off with the microtransactions in all most all modes, that made their progression tough.

System Requirements: 4GB RAM, Intel Core i3, DirectX 11

Cover Athlete: Kyrie Irving

6. NBA 2K16

NBA 2K16 came with new features that will never be erased in the history of this game. Unlike any previous modes, “MyLeague” puts franchise players in complete power over the management of their team. This cinematic, of course, was provided by Spike Lee in “MyCareer” where it brought out an amazing and emotional journey of a basketball player from rags to riches. Some graphical enhancements include an improved player model with extra detail and a realistic response of the audience. “Pro-Am” mode changed the opportunities for competitive interconnection in multiplayer mode. This game is still a fan favorite after all these years.

Cover Athletes: Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis

5. NBA 2K14

The best part about the game was that basketball superstar LeBron James was not only on the covers of NBA 2K14, but also contributed to the shaping of the soundtrack for the game. The game introduced a new mode called ‘LeBron’s Path to Greatness’ that allowed the players to build The L-train's career. Game earned a stunning Metacritic score of 84, proving the franchise's consistency of receiving scores in the mid-80s each time.

Cover Athlete: LeBron James

4. NBA 2K17

Considered to be one of the most refined offerings in the series, NBA 2K17 received a major upgrade to every single gameplay element. Closely connected with that, “MyCareer” was more alive, creating narrative choices based on the player’s actions. The “Pro-Am” mode was designed to let players construct and manage their own teams, going up against a bunch of other Pro-Am squads. Physics and animations have been enhanced to afford play realism that includes players’ movement and inter-player contact authenticity, symbolic of basketball. This was one of the best NBA 2k games.

Cover Athlete: Paul George

3. NBA 2K13

With the release of NBA 2K13, the MyTeam mode was introduced, where players could collect cards and create their dream team consisting of Basketball Icons. Interestingly, the 1992 and 2013 US Olympic basketball teams were also added to the game. This game also had improvements in passing mechanics on a team as well as AI tuning. Renowned rapper Jay-Z contributed to the game's production, which was one of the highlights of this game. It earned a Metacritic score of 88.

Cover Athletes: Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin

2. NBA 2K12

NBA 2K12 gave the OG fans a great nostalgia as the developers added Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as the cover athletes. The game had improved realism, better models, and elaborate areas, which led to it earning a Metacritic score of 90. The MyPlayer mode also got a massive upgrade, making the user experience better.

Cover Athletes: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson

1. NBA 2K11

NBA 2K11 introduced one of the most unique features called the “Jordan Challenge," which allowed players to replay MJ's iconic moments. The gamers’ enthusiasm for the primary goal and the vivid imitation of Jordan’s performance, down to fade-away shots, was also applauded. Elements like dribbling, shooting, and animation also saw impressive improvements. NBA 2K11 revived the NBA 2K franchise and landed on a score of 89 on Metacritic. The depth of ‘Association Mode,' along with a brilliant soundtrack and core gameplay, makes NBA 2K11 one of the best games of the NBA 2K franchise.

Cover Athlete: Michael Jordan

List of Top 15 Best NBA 2k Games Of All Time